Moving stairway



R. F. LOUGHRIDGE oci. 2, 1951 MOVING STAIRWAY 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJuly 19, 1948 Ocf- 2, 1951 Y R. F. LOUGHRIDGE 2,570,135 l MOVINGSTA'IRWAY Filed July 19, 1948 s Sheets-Sheet a Patented Oct. 2, 1951UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MOVING STAIRWAY Robert F. Loughridge, FortWorth, Tex. Application July 19, 194s, serial No. 39,599

9 Claims. 1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in movingstairways and more particularly to steps therefor and the mountingthereof.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved mounting for anescalator step wherein the driving axle includes a plurality oftelescoping sections with its wheels and step supports disposed inwardlyof its driving chain whereby the step and its wheels may be removedwithout ydisturbing the chain or adjacent steps, said step having aremovable tread to facilitate access to the driving axle.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved movingstairway, of the character described, which includes a removable track:section so as to permit outward pivoting of the step to facilitateremoval of a step bodily.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafterdescribed together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of thefollowing specication and by reference to the accompanying drawings,

wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective View, partly in section, of a step for movingstairway constructed in accordance with the invention, l

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal, sectional view of a Dortion of the drivingaxle of the step,

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal, sectional view of a portion of the front ortrailing axe,

Fig. 4 is a transverse, sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is a transverse, sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 6 is a vertical, sectional view of one end or landing of a movingstairway, showingfth removable section of the track, and

Y Fig. 7 is a rear elevation of the step.

In the drawings, the numeral ID designates a step for a moving stairwayor escalator which includes a pair of truck bolsters II mounted inspaced, parallel relation upon a front or trailing axle I2 and a rear ordriving axle I3. A riser I4 projects upwardly from the bolsters IIadjacent the front axle I2 and has a rearwardly-directed flange I5 atits lower margin bolted or otherwise fastened to said bolsters. flangeI5, the riser I4is bent rearwardly upon vitself as shown at I 6 so as toextend substantially vertically or upright. A flange I'l is formed atthe top of the riser in overlying relation to the lower flange forSupporting the forward edge por- Above the I tion of a tread I8 which issecured thereto by suitable screws I9. The upright portion of the riserhas cutouts 20 therein to reduce the weight of the same and is coveredby a curved face plate 2I of thin, light-weight metal. A flange 212 isformed at the top of the face plate 2Il for connement between the ris-erflange I'I and the tread I8, while the lower margin of said plate isattached 4by screws or rivets 23 to the lower portion of the riser.

The rear edge portion of the tread is supported by a channel-shapedbracket 24 which extends between the bolsters in longitudinal alinementwith the driving axle I3 and which has its bottom leg 25 bent downwardlyso as to dispose its upper leg 26 in horizontal alinement with the topflange of the riser. The tread projects rearwardly beyond the bracket24, being connected to the top leg 26 thereof by the screw I9. Suitablebolts 21 fasten the bottom leg 25 of the flange to the bolsters. Thetread is grooved in the usual manner, being formed of relatively hardrubber and having a reinforcing plate 28 embedded or moded therein.

As is most clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 5, suitable bearing blocks 29are clamped on the trailing axle I2 by bolts 30 and are attached to theunderside of the forward ends of the bolsters by bolts 3|. The ends ofthe axle extend beyond the blocks 29 and have wheels or rollers 32, ofrubber or other suitable material, mounted thereon by means of washers33 and snap rings 34. A spacer 35 is preferably interposed between eachwheel 32 and the adjacent block. Similar clamping blocks 36 and bolts 3lare carried by the driving axle I3 and are fastened beneath the rearends ofthe bolsters by certain of the bolts 27 (Figs. 2 and 4). The endsof the axle I3 project an appreciable distance beyond the blocks 36 andhave wheels or rollers 38, similar to the wheels 32, mounted thereon.Externally of the Wheels 38, endless running gear chains 39 of thedouble-link roller type are connected to the axle by means of stubshafts 40 which extend through certain of the rollers of the chains.Each chain 39 is spaced from the adjacent wheel by a spacer 4 I. It isnoted that the wheels 38 are spaced outwardly of the wheels 32 that saidwheels are adapted to ride upon outer and inner upper run tracks 42 and43 respectively, the tracks 42 being disposed above the tracks'43 ateach landing (Fig. 6)

The axle I3 is formed of a plurality of telescoping sections whichpreferably include a pair of assemblies A, one at each end of said axleand each having an internal positioning tube or sleeve Y 44 forreceiving the inner end of one of the stub shafts 4I) (Figs. 2 and '7).If desired, the stub shaft and sleeve may be formed integrally and, whenformed separately, the same are sweated or otherwise secured together.An intermediate or central shaft 45 has one end portion rotatablyengaging in each tube 44, being held against relative longitudinalmovement by a suitable clip or snap ring 46 which is confined in anannular groove 47 formed in each end of the shaft and bearing againsteach tube end. It is noted that the shaft 45 is of less length than thedistance between the inner ends of the stub shafts 41E! soa-s to permittelescoping movement and disengagement of said shaft 45 from the tubesupon removal of one or both of the snap rings. One wheel 38 is journaledupon each tube 44 between one of the spacers 40 and a flanged bearingcollar 43. The

latter rotatably supports the outer end of an external'positioning tubeor sleeve 49 and a suitable bearing collar 50 is interposed between theinner end of thissleeve and the internal tube. For holding the tubes inxed relation, the inwardly projecting end of the internal Vtube is ciricumferentially grooved for receiving a clip or snap ring 5Ik whichconfines a washer 52 against the ends of the external tube and itsbearing collar 59. A transverse groove 53 is formed in each tube 49 soas to receive the clamping bolt Z-ilof the block 36 and hold said block'as well as the bolsterV II and step I9 against lateral movement (Figs. 2and 4).

Due to the sectional or telescoping arrangement Y of the axle,installation of said axle. its wheels and chains as well as repair ofthe Ysame is facilitated. One chain or wheel may be installed or removedwithout installing or removing the other. The shaft-45 may be insertedor removed without disturbing the end assemblies of the axle. So l.:

long as the step is not in place, either end assembly may be readilybroken down to permit replacementof the wheel carried by the same or forother purposes. By removing the screws I9, the tread I8 may be detachedto permit access to the axle and removal of the clamping bolts 31. Theshaft 45 is then telescoped within one of the tubes 44 Y upon removal ofone or both of the snap rings 45 and, upon movement of the blocks 36vand holsters I I longitudinally of. the axle, the step may bedisengaged from said axle. The end assemblies of the axle may then beturned relative to each other to permit removal of the shaft. At thispoint, either or both end assemblies may be dismantled or broken down.Assembly of the axle and step and are mounted upon a transverse shaft5l. The r Youter'tracks 42 and 54 extend slightly beyond the shaft 51for supporting the rear wheels 38 until and following engagement of therear axles I3 with the notches of the sprockets 56. llilach inner track43 has its end portion swung downwardly in an arc about the Yaxis of theshaft, whilethe inner track 55 is curved or swung on a greater arc aboutsaid shaft axis so as to be spaced from its corresponding upper track 43and permit the passage of the front wheels 32 therebetween. AS.

4 shown by the numeral 58, each track 55 has an upper, horizontalportion overlying the upper track 43 and serving as a guide or hold-downfor the front wheels. In order to permit the removal of a step, thecurved portion of each track 55 has a removable section 59 which issecured in place by suitable screws 60. The ends of each section 59 andadjacent portions of the track are reduced in thickness to provideoverlapping tongues 6I and 62, whereby the iinner surface of the sectionis flush with andforms a continuation of said track. Thus, there is nointerference with the riding of the wheels 32 around the curve yof thetrack. VThe step may be readily swung outwardly and removed upondisconnection from the rear axle I3. This construction may beincorporated with either end or landing of the moving stairway.

I-t is noted that the sleeves 44 and 49 are rotatable relative to eachother as well as to the wheel te and the intermediate. shaft 45. "Thus,vthe outer sleeve of each end fassemblymayturrt `in accordance withmovement of the stepjfand the inner sleeve may remain stationaryyor turnwith either the wheel or the intermediate shaft.. Normally, the innersleeve 'does :not: turn and functions as a bearing for the Vwheel.and'shafts's This freedom of'movement is of importance 'due to thechange of'position ofthe step in approach-- ing the ends of the stairwayand passingaround the loops from one run tothe other.

The foregoing description .of vthe invention is explanatory thereof andvariousch'angeszin th'e size, shape and. materials-as well *asvinthe-elde-r tails of the illustratedl construction maybe made, withinthe scope of the. appended claims. without departing from the spiritofthe inven tion.

What I claim and desire. to secure by Lettersl Patent is: v

.1. In a moving stairway, van endless series` .of steps, an axle for,each stepincluding, telescoping sleeve assemblies at the ends oftheaxle, the step being fastenedto theassemblies, a Awheel' carried byeachassembly externally of said'step, a shaft extending between and having..its ends journaled .in said assemblies, the shaft being of a lengthless than the distance between the outer ends of said assemblies so lastoY be :removable therefrom, and fastening meansrcarried by said shaftfor securing. the same againstrax'- ial movement relative to saidassemblies.

2. In a step for a moving stairway, a *Supvporting axle including, apair of spaced' telepair of spaced truck bolsters, a tread, risermeansconnecting one edge portion of the tread to the bolsters, bracket meansconnecting the opposite edge portion of said tread to'said bolsters, anaxle having wheels carried by `the riser end 'f each. bolster, an axleat the opposite-end of `said bolsters, the latter axle including a pairof telescoping .sleeve assemblies, one assembly being i connected toeach'bolster, Vwheels carried by the assemblies, a removable shaftextending between and rotatable in said assemblies, and detachablefastening means preventing longitudinal movement of the shaft relativeto the said assemblies.

4. A step for a moving stairway including, truck bolsters, riser means,bracket means, a tread connected to the bolsters by the riser andbracket means, an axle having wheels carried by the riser ends of saidbolsters, a sectional axle at the opposite ends of said bolsters andincluding a telescoping sleeve assembly connected to each bolster, and ashaft extending between the assemblies and having its ends rotatably andremovably supported therein, the shaft being of a length less than thedistance between the outer ends of said assemblies so as to permitinward removal of said shaft upon relative telescoping movement.

5. In a moving stairway, an endless series of steps, an axle for eachstep including, a pair of spaced sleeve assemblies having inner andouter telescoping tubes rotatable relative to each other, the inner tubegeing of greater length than the outer tube, the step being fastened toone of the tubes, a wheel mounted on the other tube externally of saidstep, a shaftextending between and connecting the assemblies and beingof less length than the distance between the outer ends of saidassemblies so as to be removable therefrom by axial movement relativethereto, and fastening means for securing the shaft against relativeaxial movement.

6. The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein the shaft is journaledin the inner tubes of the sleeve assemblies.

7. The combination set forth in claim 5 including, a running gear chainconnected to the outer end of each sleeve assembly externally of thewheel, and fastening means detachably securing the telescoping tubes ofeach assembly against axial movement relative to each other, wherebysaid tubes may be separated to permit inward removal of said wheelwithout disturbing the connection of the running gear chain.

8. In a moving stairway, an endless series of steps. an axle for eachstep including, a pair of spaced sleeve assemblies having inner andouter telescoping sleeves rotatable relative to each other, the innersleeve being of greater length than the outer sleeve, the step beingfastened to said outer sleeve, a running gear chain carried by the outerend of said inner sleeve, a wheel mounted on said inner sleeve betweenthe chain and step, a shaft extending between and removably connected tothe inner ends of the assemblies, and fastening means detachablysecuring the sleeves against axial movement relative to each other,whereby said outer sleeve is removable from said inner sleeve to permitinward removal of said wheel.

9. In a moving stairway, an endless series of steps, an axle for eachstep including, a pair of spaced sleeve assemblies having inner andouter telescoping sleeves rotatable relative to each other, the innersleeve being of greater length than the outer sleeve, the step beingfastened to said outer sleeve, a running gear chain carried by the outerend of said inner sleeve, a wheel mounted on said inner sleeve betweenthe chain and step, a shaft journaled in the inner ends of the innersleeves of each assembly and being of less length than the distancebetween the outer ends of said assemblies so as to be removable fromsaid inner sleeves upon axial movement relative thereto, and fasteningmeans detachably securing each inner and outer sleeve against axialmovement relative to each other, whereby said outer sleeve is removablefrom said inner sleeve to permit inward removal of said wheel.

ROBERT F. LOUGHRIDGE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED ySTATES PATENTS Number Name Date 617,788 Wheeler Jan. 17, 18992,085,076 Dunlop June 29, 1937 2,214,580 Dunlop Sept. 10, 1940 2,292,534Margles Aug. 11, 1942 2,362,856 Strunk et al. Nov. Y14, 1944

